A WELCOME GIFT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2765, 8 May 1916, Page 4

A WELCOME GIFT

Our readers who have'subscribed so generously to the Gift Cigarette and Tobacco Fund for our troops at the front will be gratified to learn of tho pleasure their gifts have conferred on the recipients. Messrs. W. D. and H. 0. Wills, who, in conjunction with The Dominion Fund, had made generous arrangements to deliver their "Three Castles" cigarettes and "Capstan" tobacco to the troops, sent forward a large consignment, which reached its destination towards the end of March, and as a result yesterday's mail brought us a great pile of postcards and letters, representing tho views of sonic thousands of grateful young New Zealaudcrs. With each package of cigarettes and tobacco the men received a card, intimating that the gift was from the people of New Zealand through The Dominion newspaper, and this little reminder that those of us who remain at home continue to bear the absent ones closely in mind seems to have struck a responsive chord in . tho breasts of many of our soldiers overseas. Here is a typical acknowledgment: Many thanks for parcel of smokes received, which we all very much appreciate. Wo also appreciate very much the kind thought that prompted tho gift; and it also shows that, though we are' far away, wo are not forgotten by our countr.vmen ill New.' Zealand.

This message is signed by ten members of tho Maehine-gun Section, Ist Battalion, N.Z.R.B. A lieutenant, writing for the men of tho 3rd Brigade, N.Z.F.A., says: ■'.Not. only are they smokes, but it is tho first time tlmt the New Zealand boys have received a gift of their national (smoke—the old Three Castles. The saying that a smoke is food and drink to the soldier is only too true, and the kind donors would be well recompensed could they have seen the boys' faces when the gifts arrived. Another letter says: .It was quite the best gift we have had. ... It is well-nigh impossible to get good cigarettes here. And so on through the great sheaf of messages. We cannot'hope to reproduce all of them, but it will no doubt prove of interest, especially to the relatives and friends, to publish the list of names of_those who have written acknowledging receipt of the gifts. This we hope' to do tomorrow. Here and there a captain has written on behalf of his company, or a lieutenant on behalf of his platoon, but in addition many hundreds of the men have written their grateful acknowledgments to tho donors of this "best of gifts."